Our Tradition: The Creation of Contemporary Women’s Hats

Originally popular during the Victoria era, the extravagant woman’s hat fell out of popularity during World War I and II as special materials like feathers, ribbons, and gems became scarce.

Although for most of America the interest in millinery waned, many women of the African American community kept this tradition alive throughout the 20^th century and into today. Tracing this rich tradition, Harlem-based expert milliner Harriet Rosebud takes to the galleries of MAD to demonstrate how this tradition is flourishing today as she presents a variety of hats, from Sunday church hats and Derby hats to fashion-forward avant-garde hats and more.